WATCH: Clemson coordinators talk win over Georgia Southern

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Sat Sep 15 16:51:46 GMT-04:00 2018

Clemson coordinators Jeff Scott, Tony Elliott, and Brent Venables discuss the team's 38-7 win over Georgia Southern on Saturday afternoon.

CLEMSON DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR BRENT VENABLES

On the play of the defense:

“I thought our guys were very detailed today. [They] played with a lot of energy [and] were very physical. We were able to get five sacks, which gives us options. They’re doing pretty good, and that comes from their preparation. I just loved the attitude the whole time. We played a bunch of guys, and everybody got in there and did well. Regardless of who you’re playing, it still comes down to details in alignments and eyes and footwork. Again, it just requires you to be very precise. You have to do a lot of little things because they’ve got angles and leverage on you. I thought our guys did a great job of really understanding how we felt they were going to attack us. We’re real pleased with the effort, and again, our attitude. You wouldn’t have known the difference if we were playing the Denver Broncos or Mary Poppins. That’s what it’s about. When you’re playing to a standard, and you’ve got the right guys in your huddle, that’s what it should be about.”

On the lateral pass by Georgia Southern:

“Yeah, the double pass was a well-designed play, so they got us on that one.”

On improvement of defense’s discipline:

“We just have to take it one week at a time. You try to correct the mistakes from a week ago, and it’s a process. We’ve got three new guys in the back end, and backups that haven’t played much. We’ve just got to keep coaching, put them in a good position and do a good job with correcting the mistakes and explaining how we think they’re going to try to attack us. We’ve got good enough players. We’ve just got to improve on a lot of little details and techniques and discipline and understanding and schemes, all of it.”

On keeping the intensity for four quarters:

“A week ago, the intensity was not a problem. Intensity with details is a big part of it, and that leads to great execution. We played with great effort for three games. I’m very pleased with the intensity and the passion that our guys are playing with. You just have to play smart, and we have to coach them better. Our effort’s been there.”

On Nyles Pinckney recovered fumble:

“He’s a guy that’s been really on the come-up, has really made a ton of improvement since he’s been here and has worked incredibly hard for his opportunities. I feel like he’s going to be a really good player, and he’s capable of getting out there and playing real quality football. That was a really big play in the game, and that’s 11 straight games that we’ve forced a turnover...that’s a big deal. Part of playing good defense is ball disruption and getting the ball back for our offense.”